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Saint Leo women’s basketball adds assistant

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First-year Saint Leo University women’s basketball coach Anthony Crocitto added the final piece to his coaching staff, naming Dominic DiRaimo as an assistant.

With DiRaimo’s hiring, Crocitto has ushered in an entirely new coaching staff for the women’s basketball program.

DiRaimo previously served as an assistant coach at St. Catherine College (Kentucky), where he worked with fellow Lions assistant Megan Dzikas.

The Saint Leo women’s basketball will have an entirely new coaching staff in 2016. (Courtesy of Saint Leo Athletics)
The Saint Leo women’s basketball will have an entirely new coaching staff in 2016.
(Courtesy of Saint Leo Athletics)

He was in charge of scouting reports, video, strength and conditioning, recruiting, and also served as the head coach of the junior varsity team.

Prior to St. Catharine, DiRaimo served as a student manager and assistant video coordinator for the University of South Florida women’s basketball team.

“Dominic will immediately strengthen our staff in many ways,” Crocitto said, in a release. “He worked under Jose Fernandez at the University of South Florida and was great at breaking down film, and helping the Bulls in any way they needed.  I appreciate Coach Fernandez recommending him and know we will be stronger with him overall. It is also a plus that he worked with my top assistant, Megan Dzikas, as the process of connecting us all together will be smoother.”

DiRaimo’s responsibilities under Crocitto include coaching guards; handling junior college recruiting, scouting, fundraising; breaking down film; and, assisting with travel and academics.

“Dominic will do many things as he works with multiple agendas on and off the court,” Crocitto said. “I am very pleased to add Dominic as we begin a new year here at Saint Leo University. Dominic will work hard, and I know he will respect our values to the fullest.”

Saint Leo men’s soccer picked to win conference

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Saint Leo University’s men’s soccer team has been chosen to repeat as the Sunshine State Conference champions in the 2016 preseason poll, released on Aug. 25.

The Saint Leo men’s soccer team has been picked to win the Sunshine State Conference. (Courtesy of Saint Leo Athletics)
The Saint Leo men’s soccer team has been picked to win the Sunshine State Conference.
(Courtesy of Saint Leo Athletics)

The Lions received four first-place votes in the poll, which is based on votes by head coaches in the league.

Saint Leo — the defending regular season Sunshine State Conference Champions—finished the 2015 campaign with a 10-7-1 record.

“It’s an honor to be picked first in one of the best conferences in the country,” head coach Keith Fulk said, in a release. “We are definitely stoked to be picked first in the preseason poll, but it’s not how you start the race, it’s how you finish.”

The Lions led all teams in the poll with 60 total votes, followed by Lynn University and Rollins College, who both tied for second with 53 total votes.

Saint Leo reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2015.

Wiregrass Ranch volleyball off to hot start

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The Wiregrass Ranch High School volleyball team is off to a blistering 4-0 start, most recently defeating Mitchell High — widely regarded as the top volleyball team in Pasco County — on the road in four sets on Aug. 30. Coached by Michelle Davis, the Bulls return an experienced group of five seniors and seven juniors from a team that went 15-7 last season. Caroline Eichelberger, a 5-foot-11 junior outside hitter, leads the team in kills (31).

Academy at the Lakes names new cheer coach

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Academy at the Lakes has named Amy Guzzo to lead its varsity cheerleading program. Guzzo currently serves as the cheerleading coach for the Lutz Chiefs, and is a member of the United States All-Star Federation (USASF) — a governing body for all-star cheerleading and dance. “Coach Guzzo comes to Academy with a wealth of experience coaching cheer at many levels,” AATL athletic director Tom Haslam said, in a release. “I feel that Coach Guzzo is an excellent fit for us, and our cheerleaders will benefit from her experience and expertise.”

Land O’ Lakes Christian soccer standout notches four goals

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Paul Wei (No. 4) (Courtesy of Mark Zabilowicz)
Paul Wei (No. 4)
(Courtesy of Mark Zabilowicz)

Paul Wei, senior soccer player at Land O’ Lakes Christian School, scored four goals against Inverness Christian Academy on Aug. 18. He followed up that feat by netting three goals on Aug. 19 against Ruskin Christian School. The Eagles are 2-1 as of Aug. 23.

Gaither football standout commits to FSU

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DeCalon Brooks (Courtesy of 247Sports)
DeCalon Brooks
(Courtesy of 247Sports)

Gaither High School senior linebacker DeCalon Brooks has verbally committed to play football for the Florida State University Seminoles. The 5-foot-10, 197-pound Brooks — the son of NFL Hall of Famer and Tampa Bay Buccaneers legend Derrick Brooks — is widely considered one of the top prep players in all of Tampa. In 2015, Brooks led Gaither in tackles (114), and was second on the team in tackles for loss (12) and sacks (5.0).

In an interview with 247 Sports, the Gaither High standout said FSU coaches told him they were impressed with his versatility on defense.

“They talked to me about playing strong safety and outside linebacker,” Brooks told 247 Sports. “That hybrid, third down backer that they can keep in the game instead of taking a linebacker out. They like me there and strong safety.”

The consensus three-star recruit also had offers from eight other Division I programs, including the University of Louisville and the University of South Florida.

Pasco Stars take home the gold!

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Courtesy of Special Olympics Pasco)
Courtesy of Special Olympics Pasco)

The Pasco Stars won a gold medal on Aug. 21 at the 2016 Special Olympics North America Softball Invitational in Roanoke, Virginia. In the team’s quest to win the gold medal, it defeated teams from Maryland, Texas, Canada, Virginia, Illinois, and Pennsylvania. Thirty-two softball teams from across the United States and Canada competed in the annual three-day tournament.

Wesley Chapel boys golf tops rival

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(Courtesy of Wesley Chapel High School)
(Courtesy of Wesley Chapel High School)

The Wesley Chapel High School boys golf team defeated Wiregrass Ranch by eight strokes (160 to 168) in their first match of the season at Quail Hollow Golf Course on Aug. 23. Wesley Chapel senior David Lee paced the Wildcats with a match-low 37, followed by Tyler Rover (39), Jarrod Smith (41) and Ben Wolfman (43).

Saint Leo women’s lacrosse adds assistant

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Marial Pierce
Marial Pierce

Marial Pierce, a former Division I lacrosse player at Monmouth (New Jersey) University, has been added to the Saint Leo University’s women’s lacrosse coaching staff as an offensive assistant and recruiting/academic coordinator.

Pierce, a 2016 Monmouth graduate, was a two-time first-team All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) in 2015 and 2016, finishing her career with 151 points (97 goals, 54 assists).

“We are really excited to have Marial join our staff,” head coach Lesley Graham said, in a release. “As a recent graduate, she will bring a lot of enthusiasm and energy to the program. She finished her playing career as a standout athlete, and that will help translate to the competitive edge we are looking to bring this season.”

Saint Leo finished 3-12 last season.

Sunlake High football receives AP poll votes

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The Sunlake High School Seahawks are receiving votes in the Associated Press Florida high school football poll for Class 6A. Armwood (ranked second) is the only other Tampa Bay area team either in the poll, or receiving votes. Sunlake has won at least eight games every year since 2010.